Zayn Malik has confirmed that his relationship with girlfriend Gigi Hadid is over - and he's not happy that the story was leaked.

The former One Direction star took to Twitter after news broke of the split to let his fans know what's going on.

He wrote: "Gigi and I had an incredibly meaningful, loving and fun relationship and I have a huge amount of respect and adoration for Gigi as a woman and a friend.

"She has such an incredible soul. I'm grateful to all of our fans for respecting this difficult decision and our privacy at this time, we wish this news could have come from us first. We love you all."

Zayn released a statement (Image: Twitter)

Zayn wishes they could have been the ones to let fans know (Image: Getty Images Europe)

Gigi later released her own statement (Image: Twitter)

Gigi later released her own statement, saying: "Breakup statements often seem impersonal because there is really no way to put into words what two people experience together over a few years .. not only in the relationship, but in life in general.

"I'm forever grateful for the love, time, and life lessons that Z and I shared. I want nothing but the best for him and will continue to support him as a friend that I have immense respect and love for.

"As for the future, whatever's meant to be will always be."

It comes after reports that the singer had broken up with the Victoria's Secret Angel after 28 months together.

Following rumours that they were engaged, the glamorous showbiz couple have gone their separate ways.

Zayn, 25, and Gigi , 22, are said to have gradually drifted apart due to work pressures, and called it a day on their relationship earlier this month.

A source said: "Sadly Zayn and Gigi have separated."

They seemed so loved up (Image: gigihadid/Instagram)

Is it really over? (Image: GC Images)

They added to The Sun : "They are no longer a couple but they do remain close and are supportive of each other.

"The reality is that they’ve grown apart, having been together for a long time."

The source added that "crazy work schedules" put pressure on their relationship.

Zayn started dating Gigi after the breakdown of his engagement to Little Mix star Perrie Edwards.

And the Pillowtalk hitmaker has opened up previously about how she's been there for him through his battles with anxiety.

They posed for Vogue together (Image: Inez and Vinoodh / Vogue)

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Zayn hinted at the split today when he took to Instagram to share a sun-soaked topless selfie.

He wrote alongside it: "When Life throws you lemons , catch em so they don’t hit you in the f*****g face"

And while the couple may have had their ups and downs in the past, the source is adamant that the split is final, but adds that they "both have respect for each other".

It had been rumoured in May last year that Zayn and Gigi were on track to get engaged.

It was deemed that likely to happen, that bookies Betway were offering offs on the sweethearts to be the next couple to get engaged.

They constantly posted snaps together on social media (Image: Instagram)

Together on Gigi's birthday (Image: gigihadid/Instagram)

It came after their never-ending social media PDAs, and Zayn calling Gigi his "everything" on Instagram.

And in July, it was said that Zayn had been forced to "tone down" his music on his second album because his songs were too kinky.

It was said that he'd been penning racy tunes about stunner Gigi.

According to reports, Zayn had been inspired to create music about himself and Gigi doing their "bedroom thing".

However they add that the star was made to tone things down and to be "less Hugh Hefner and more Marvin Gaye".

Zayn soundtracked the S&M themed film Fifty Shades Darker earlier this year with his Taylor Swift duet, I Don’t Wanna Live Forever.